Knicks keep rolling in the desert with 4th straight win

The New York Knicks extended their winning streak to four games in emphatic fashion, defeating the Phoenix Suns 130-116 in a high-powered offensive display. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for a dazzling 70 points, setting the tone early as the Knicks raced out to a 20-6 lead and never looked back.

Brunson delivered a masterclass with 36 points and 10 assists, while Towns dominated with 34 points and 10 rebounds. The duo orchestrated an offense that continues to hum at a historic pace for New York, logging their second consecutive game with 130 points or more.

“We have a lot of areas we obviously could be better at, but to come out with wins on four out of five nights, it just speaks to our improvement and that we’re trending in the right direction.”

– Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks’ starters were locked in across the board, each finishing in double figures. Josh Hart was a force on both ends, tallying 19 points on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Mikal Bridges added 16 points and 5 assists, while OG Anunoby chipped in 14 points and 7 boards.

New York was unstoppable early, dropping 44 points in the first quarter and heading into halftime with a commanding 76-58 lead. Their ball movement was once again a highlight, as they racked up 30 assists—marking the eighth time this season they’ve hit that milestone in just 15 games.

The Suns, meanwhile, were shorthanded, missing key stars Kevin Durant (seventh game out with a calf strain) and Bradley Beal (also sidelined with a calf strain). Devin Booker carried the load for Phoenix with 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace. Royce O’Neale added 17 points, while Jusuf Nurkic posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Both teams connected on 19 three-pointers, but the Knicks’ efficiency stood out, shooting 48.7% from deep compared to the Suns’ 38%. New York also controlled the boards (41-34) and crushed the Suns in transition, outscoring them 28-10 on fast break points. Inside, the Knicks’ dominance was even more apparent, holding a 60-44 edge in the paint.

The Suns, now on a five-game losing streak, couldn’t muster a comeback despite Booker’s best efforts. The Knicks, on the other hand, are now three games above .500, climbing to third place in the East. They now sit three games behind the Celtics and six behind the red-hot Cavaliers.

Up-next: The Knicks (9-6) will take on the Jazz (3-11) on Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City at 3:00 pm